Balancing act...

Wow, I can hardly call myself a blogger at this rate! So its been awhile...a long while...3 months while. You get the picture. Life has been a juggling act lately, I really don't know how some of you keep up with balancing everything in your lives, work, play, family, hobbies, blogging & etc. I have obviously struggled with this and I promise to myself that I am going to try and make more of an effort to keep this little blog up to date.

Well, I have been trying to get as much designing and crafting in as my life and spare time will allow. One of the BIG projects I am currently working on is a brand for myself. I came up with a new logo that I am pretty happy with and now I would really like to work on a new, more minimalist blog design. The problem is that my web skills are very rusty... okay, they were never that great to begin with. I have no issues designing a website, its making it work that I struggle with. I bought a book that I am going to try and work through to build myself a pretty little blog, if the book doesn't work I am thinking about taking a few classes for web design/development. I really enjoy doing it, I am just not good at it. Eventually, I would like to start designing blog templates for other people to enjoy... we shall see how that goes... no promises!

Until next time... here is my new logo! Hope you all enjoy and as always...take care!

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Reminiscing...

Summer is finally upon us in MN and it is oh so apparent. Busy, busy, busy! I did squeeze in some time to share what has been on my mind lately...my favorite MN city, Duluth. I have not made a trip there since February and am itching to get back.

I figured since I cannot be there right now, I would look at some of my photography from some of my past visits...then I thought why not share them with all of you!

So, this is my first photography post...I am no photography expert but I do enjoy taking pictures, especially when looking through the lens and Duluth shows up! I hope you enjoy these pictures from Lake Superior in Duluth, MN and of Gooseberry State Park in Two Harbors, MN. If you have not visited this wonderful city...please do! You will not want to leave once you are there, I promise!

Take care!

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Design Time...

Hi Friends,

Whew, I have been busy busy busy! I was looking at the date of my last post...it has been awhile!

Well, today I thought I would post one of my recent wedding invitation and reply card designs. Someday, I would love to create wedding invitations all day long! Really any kind of invitations but weddings are my favorite. I could literally create these all day long!

Since my own wedding (two years ago today!) I have been infatuated with weddings. I still look at all of the inspiration and ideas online and am in awe of how beautiful these events are. I would not change anything about my wedding but it does amaze me how just two years later the trends have already changed so much!

To all the brides out there...Happy wedding planning! If you would like a custom design, check back soon, I am hoping to have an Etsy shop up soon. Until then, I hope you enjoy this design I have created.

The names on this invite are made up...all text is for design and layout purposes.

Take care!

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Happy Zentangle Wednesday!

Hi Friends,

Who doesn't love cupcakes? It has been very apparent that in the last few years there has been a cupcake explosion...and that is the subject of today's Zentangle.

Cupcakes are not only fun to eat, they are fun to create too! No matter what form they come in...food, drawing, sewing project, crocheted, knitted, clay...they are adorable.

A fun way to create a base for your Zentangle drawing is to use a dingbat from a fun font. There are many websites to download free fonts from...this one came from the font mtf sweet dings from dafont. I chose the dingbat that I wanted to use, made it really big, and then just printed it and started tangling!

Hope this tangle inspires everyone to go out and create cupcakes...whatever the medium may be! Have fun with it!!!

Take care!

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Graduation Time!

Hi Friends,

Since graduation is right around the corner, I thought that I would show you the open house invitation I designed for my brother-in-law.

Hard to believe that 10 years ago this spring I graduated from high school...I know I just aged myself there! Times really do change though. I remember my high school graduation open house invites...they were nothing to write home about; though I am sure at that time I thought they were the best thing since sliced bread! Now days, there are so many unique designs out there for grad announcements so...remember to keep your options open and do some research to find a design that fits your needs and budget!

I am working on getting an Etsy store up to sell my designs but until that happens, this is a little preview of some of my design work...I hope you enjoy!

Take care!

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Crochet Day!

Hi Friends,


I am very excited about this post! Today I am having a crochet day with one of my very good friends. I get to relax, crochet, and watch Sex & the City all in good company...I call that an excellent Friday! Since I have not posted any crochet projects since my very first post, I thought today was the perfect day to add another one...I am in crochet mode!!


This is another one of Ana Paula's patterns. I am OBSESSED with her patterns right now, especially her ocean creatures. I have made three of there little jellyfish...there are oh so adorable and pretty fast to whip up! These could be crocheted in a rainbow of colors and look cute every time!


I have been missing Duluth terribly which is why I think I have been creating many nautical and water themed projects lately. Granted, there are no jellyfish or octopuses in Lake Superior, but I have got water on my mind and these things do live in the water in other places of the world!


I hope everyone enjoys this amigurumi...stay tuned if you do because I am hoping to finish another very cute one after today's crochet day!

Ingredients:
Peaches & Cream cotton yarn (color : Floral Garden) for body and tentacles
Lily Sugar & Cream cotton yarn (color : Hot Purple) for bow
2 small felt squares (behind eyes)
Black Embroidery thread (for mouth)
Darice Shank Back Eyes 9mm
Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiberfill
Size G (4.5mm) crochet hook
Large yarn needle (for embroidering mouth and attaching parts)


Take Care

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Happy Zentangle Wednesday!

Hi Friends,

Today I have decided to post one of my very first Zentangles. I just love how an ordinary shape can become transformed into a very dimensional drawing in a matter of few minutes.

This tangle illustrates my MN love! Although the weather here can sometimes test my love for this state, I truly do love living here. Art, food, culture, nature, and four seasons...true love!

I hope everyone enjoys this weeks Zentangle!

Take care

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